海角吃瓜网

Growing Literacy from the Get-Go

Benay Hicks 鈥�08 is as well read as they come. Since graduating from 海角吃瓜网, she鈥檚 earned a Master of Theological Studies from Boston University and a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University. Today, she鈥檚 pursuing a doctorate in leadership psychology from Williams James College while working full-time to nurture and grow children鈥檚 reading skills.

Hicks is chief external relations officer for Book Harvest, a children鈥檚 literacy nonprofit based in Durham, N.C. In her multi-faceted role involving everything from marketing and fundraising, she鈥檚 most excited these days about leading the external strategy for scaling Book Harvest鈥檚 鈥淏ooks from Birth鈥� program.

鈥淚鈥檝e developed the program鈥檚 materials and branding 鈥� creating home library kits that new families receive before leaving the hospital,鈥� said Hicks. 鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly rewarding to know that my work is shaping the experience parents have in those earliest, most meaningful moments while we help close opportunity gaps by ensuring that every child has access to books starting at birth.鈥�

Life of Service

Book Harvest is just the latest worthy cause for Hicks in a career filled with difference-making nonprofit roles, including service with Boys & Girls Clubs and Special Olympics. In 2017, she co-founded 鈥淪tudents to Scholars,鈥� an effort focused on partnering with families and independent schools to erase the opportunity gap for students from historically underserved communities.

鈥淓ach role has deepened my understanding of ethical leadership and social justice, while also consistently revealing complex organizational and societal challenges,鈥� said Hicks. 鈥淚鈥檝e had the opportunity to witness firsthand how effective leadership can be key to transforming organizations into powerful catalysts for social change.鈥�

Hicks鈥� desire to make an impact where it matters most was cultivated in many ways during her days at 海角吃瓜网. She fondly recalls her role as service chaplain while co-leading spring and fall break trips to Mexico, South Carolina and Mississippi in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to 海角吃瓜网 for mailing me that VHS recruitment tape all those years ago. It changed my life in so many incredible ways, and I鈥檒l never forget the memories I made under the whispering maples.鈥�